The new utility tariffs approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) take effect from today, 1 September 2022.
It means consumers would have to pay an additional 27.15% for electricity and 21.55% for water, respectively.
The PURC announced the increment on Monday, 15 August 2022, following a proposed increase in tariffs by utility companies.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) demanded over a 100% increment in tariff to meet their operational cost, but it was reviewed downwards after government intervention.
While ECG asked for an increment in tariffs by 148%, the GWCL also demanded its tariffs go up by 334%.
Announcing the increment, the Chairman of the PURC asked the public to support the utility companies as they aim to recoup lost revenues.
However, customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed tariff increment, citing current economic hardships that continue to push living conditions high.
The ECG has further assured customers and stakeholders of its commitment to smoothly implementing the new tariff.
“It is important to note that the average percentage increase is on energy consumption only. Therefore, the addition of statutory levies and other fixed charges will increase the average percentage announced by the PURC. In effect, individual customers’ tariff percentage increase will depend on customer classification and consumption category. Significantly, exclusive lifeline beneficiaries’ consumption has been pegged at 30kWh, according to the new bands for residential customers.
“ECG has catalogued all unit consumption and the expected cost in a “Reckoner”, which clearly explains how the tariff is applied and billed. This will be displayed at all our districts and customer service centres nationwide to guide customers on their electricity purchases,” a statement signed by the Managing Director, Samuel Mahama said.
The ECG entreated customers “to take charge of their personal consumption by conserving energy which will lead to spending less on electricity.”